Attitude

If God voiced my attitude towards my wife back to me, he would say things like this:

Dale, what don’t you get about death on the cross? Yes, its painful, what were you expecting, a cake walk? Of course there is suffering – duh. When will you get with the program Dale, when can I expect to see a change? You’ve been struggling with this for long enough, are you even trying? You’re going to get no help from me; I’ve had enough, its time for a change and you’re going to have to make it. I’m done being a door mat. If you would just open you’re eyes you would see how great I am. You’re so lost in yourself you’re useless to the rest of us.

Wow, I can’t believe that is what’s in my heart! Even though I haven’t said those words certainly my actions and attitudes convey them to my wife.

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.1Mt 12:35 AV

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.2Lu 6:45 AV

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.3Ro 14:4 AV

My Prayer: God, thank you that you’re not that way.4Isa 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Thank you that you are able to make us stand.5Ro 14:4 NIV Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Thank you for exposing me!6Ps 139:23-24 AV Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let’s go to the wood shed; please drive this far from me.7Pr 3:11-12 NIV My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.8Heb 12:5-11 NIV And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Fill me with your love.91Jo 4:19 AV We love him, because he first loved us. I want to love like You do! Open my eyes and let me see my wife as you see her: that she too is fearfully and wonderfully made !10Ps 139:14 AV I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Clearly I’m the one so lost in self that I’m useless; please forgive me, I’m full of judgment, bitterness, resentment, and pride. Please forgive me for aligning myself with the enemy and refusing to love. Please change my nature and give me Your nature of mercy, grace, and forgiveness.11Isa 55:8-9 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Thank you that you are able to make us stand. Please change me, open my eyes and allow the Holy Spirit to convict me of sin and give me the grace to confess my sins in agreement with You so that I may partake of the glorious blessings Jesus secured as an expression of Your love. Please saturate my heart with love so that it overflows mercy, grace, and forgiveness to my wife. Amen.